Vice President JD Vance said Monday in Switzerland that U.S. negotiations with Iran have “laid a successful foundation” for a longer-term agreement, even as President Donald Trump warned Iran against escalation and members of Congress raised objections to the framework.
Vance, who is leading the talks, said the Strait of Hormuz is open and that Iran has agreed to international inspections of its nuclear program. Such inspections were part of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal negotiated under President Barack Obama, from which Trump withdrew the United States in 2018. The current discussions follow a memorandum of understanding signed last week that established a 60-day ceasefire and a process for negotiating a broader settlement.
The ceasefire has already faced pressure. Over the weekend, Israel carried out a strike in Lebanon that local authorities said killed at least 16 people. Iran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, citing a violation of the agreement. Trump then urged Iran to restrain its proxies in Lebanon and threatened further U.S. military action if it did not. Vance defended the president’s remarks while saying negotiations remain active and that Iran and Israel have created a deconfliction mechanism.
The framework under discussion reportedly includes U.S. sanctions relief, the unfreezing of Iranian assets, renewed Iranian oil exports, and a proposed $300 billion economic rehabilitation fund. In exchange, Iran would keep the Strait open and refrain from producing a nuclear weapon. Key details remain unresolved, including funding sources, safeguards against misuse of money, and whether Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon would be required.
Congress could become an obstacle. Republican senators Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham and Representative Don Bacon have criticized aspects of the plan. Under a 2015 law, Congress can review and block nuclear-related agreements with Iran, limiting Trump’s ability to lift sanctions or provide economic relief.